Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-24
A WONDERFUL CAVE.
GREAT SUBTERR4NEAN WOMB r
OF E.STERN NEVADA.
A Competitor OF the Famous Nam
moth Cave--Brief Descriptions
of it's Apartments-Etc.


EDS REcoRD-UNIoN: While everybody |
conceives that Nevada can produce more
sagebrush, better "spuds," finer beef and
healthier children than any other portion
Of earth, all are not aware of the fact that
in its extreme eastern border, and under
the highest peak in the State, namely,
Jeff Davis Peak, Is the most marvellous
cave yet discovered on the continent. The
entrance to it was discovered some fifteen
years ago by 4. Lehman while hunting
cattle, and but for the timely notice ef his
horse both rider and steed might have
oeen buried alive. Mr., Lehman went
down the then supposed sink hole by aid
Of ropes, and while clearing away brush
and other rubbish discovered 4 strong cur
rent of air which caused him to redouble
his exertions He laboriously relied away
huge stones until he was enabled to de-
scend fprther down and make explora-
tions.
The present entrance of the cave is
through an aperture eight feet in diane
ter, and down a flight Of winding stairs for
over 100 feet, where the first chamber is
reached, and is named the Temple of
Ancient Gods" This room is 200 feet in
circumference and 40 feet high, and aside
from the stalactitic Communications over
head, it is literally filled with large and
tall columns and pillars representing all
sorts Of architectural style in base and cap
ital, all in harmony. The slow and tedi-
Gus growth and commingling Of these
stalactites and crystallization lend 10 many
odd designs and fantastic embellishments.
Whenever the proper conditions are
present stalactites and stalagmites will
FORM Drops of water trickling down
through the minute crevices in the rocks is
sure to deposit some limestone. This de-
position takes on the surface of the drop
rather than in its center, and we have
ring of limestone. This ring becomes the
support of other drops, and the process is
continued until a tube from one inch to
three feet is formed, when it begins to fill
up and the water tricllles down exteriorly
and eularges the column. The process is
analogous to the formation of an icicle,
except that one is formed by solidifcation,
the other by deposition. They are gen.
orally larger at the top, as the larger part
Of the lime is deposited before the end Is
reached. Often more water flows down
stalactite than can be evaporated and
drops upon the floor forming a stalagmite,
which continually endeavors to meet its
mothor above. In time the upward reach
ing of the one and the downward course of
the other may unite them both into one
column, thick or slender, single or double,
and extending from floor to ceiling, seem
ingly to support the roof, and varying in
size from that of a fishing rod to columns
ten feet in diameter.
And here We are taught lesson of
patience Scientific men say it requires :, 800
years to form one inch of these stalactites
and columns, and there are many twenty
and thirty feet high, and with the excep-
ton of one room there is scarcely a yard
not ornamented by these stalactitic dis
plays. The old formation is yellow, brown
or red, and its layers show grain like
gnarled wood. The new stalactitic are
usually white or snowy, and often pink or
amber-colored. In this dark studio of ma
ture are reproductions of all the objects
which are want to fill the mind with
pleasure, wonder or alarm.
But come with me through this cavern.
Our next introduction is to the Bridal
Chamber" twenty-five feet high and sixty
feet in circumference while upon one side,
in aneatly carved recess stands bed with
the usual drapery and ornaments, curtained
from the gaze of the curious. Upon the
other side are gigantic monuments tower
ing to the ceiling-four in number-and
severally dedicated to Lincoln, Grant, Gar
field and Stanton, and one more prominent
bears the name of Washington And no
sculptor of rock could place on them such
beautiful ornamentations, sparkling with
brilliancy and so delicately woven by Ma
ture, that they fall at the touch of the
tourist or the specimen gatherer. They
were also further ornamented by the stars
and stripes. While the writer was hating
here Mr.. \. and the guide proceeded and
by narrow passage way gained admission
to the Music Hall" and were dealing out
sweet notes of Hail Columbia upon one
of Natures organs. These stalactites are
of golden tinge, fifteen feet high, which,
when one rubs any rough object across
them, give ali the sweet tones found in
ordinary musical instruments. This hall
varies in width, is sevenry-hve feet long
and forty feet high.
We next pass through the Needles
Eye" narrow and difficult passage, but
at its end, and by means of 4 ladder, We
reach the Cabinet Shop" Here has been
manufactured by this slow process of Ma
ture perfect easy chairs, lounges, tables
covered with delicate crystals of varied
hues, as also desks and pulpits.
Leaving this chamber We pass next
through long hall, and our attention is
directed to the 'Sword of Liberty" seem
ingly suspended amid air. This hall is
further ornamented by stalactites of trans
parent whiteness, resembling sails, and
hanging from all sides We then pass
through long, narrow passage some 100
feet, and suddenly land in another room
where the main attraction is mammoth
monument, and on its base is written FL
den. A perfectly formed harp stands near
by, where the weary traveller can play 4
dirge to the memory of that noble man.
We now come to the Round Room"
where, in the center, is the Ladies Side
Saddle" upon which you may recline at
ease and view Pompey's pillar. The room
is fifty feet in circumference and twenty
feet high. Meandering down and up
through a hall we suddenly bring up at
"Shoshone Falls" which are 70 feet long
and 100 feet wide. Here the stalactite
formations lay in steps or rows, looking
like perfect frozen water, and to give the
falls perfect appearance water drips from
above upon them; each ripple and braided
rill seems to have been polished. Passing
around Cape Horn" we arrive at ga
cob's Retreat where the ancients have
prepared rude benches to sit upon and
quench their thirst at this splendid well of
pure cold water.
Upward and onward and we cone to a
room beautifully ornamented, and the
main attraction is a statue representing the
Virgin Mary" with figure said to rep
resent Jesus, in her arms. Leaving this
apartment we come to spacious chamber
denominated the Redwood Forest"
Here are FAC smile of trees, perfectly
formed branches, and even the leaves of
all sizes. Some standing, Others leaning
and still others lying down. Passing
down the GREASY Board" or % Fat Mans
Displeasure," We gain admission through
the ovens, where on each side are large
piles of ashes, evidently the place where
the loares were baked Near by is the
Skating Rink" a mammoth apartment
supported by large pillars or ribbed col
umnS artjstically ornamented and on, o.